Nursing school can be an expensive endeavor, regardless of the school or program you choose. In addition to the costs of tuition and registration, there are additional expenses such as textbooks and school supplies, room and board, and general living expenses. In order to make an informed decision about which school to attend, it is important to factor all of these expenses into your budget.
Nursing school expenses can vary drastically and depend on a number of factors. The type of school is one important consideration. Public universities tend to be more affordable than private universities. The type of program is another major determinant of cost. For example, the quickest and least expensive option is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate program. CNA programs are offered at community colleges and only take several weeks to complete. However, nursing assistants earn significantly less than nurses who pursued lengthier and more rigorous educational programs. In the state of Florida, CNAs can expect to earn around $23,000 per year. By contrast, after an educational program that lasts 12 to 18 months, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn approximately $41,000 per year. The state's registered nurses (RNs), who must pursue a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree, can expect to earn around $60,000 per year. Although the four-year bachelor’s degree is the most expensive and time-consuming, it also has the highest return on investment.
Top nursing schools in Florida: Most expensive to least expensive
Cape Coral / Fort Myers area
Cape Coral Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,659, books and supplies $914, room and board $6,240
Nursing Assistant Certificate (3-month program): tuition and fees $968, books and supplies $159
Fort Myers Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,509, books and supplies $914, room and board $6,648
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Coral Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,659 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 3 months | $968 | |
Fort Myers Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,509 |
Deltona / Daytona Beach area
Flagler Technical College
Nursing Assistant Certificate (4-month program): tuition and fees $708, books and supplies $384
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Flagler Technical College | Nursing Assistant Certificate | 4 months | $708 |
Fort Lauderdale
McFatter Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,152, books and supplies $600, room and board $7,200
Sheridan Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,900, books and supplies $600, room and board $8,280
Atlantic Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,712, books and supplies $800, room and board $12,960
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
McFatter Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,152 |
Sheridan Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $3,900 |
Atlantic Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $3,712 |
Jacksonville
Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville
Associate Degree in Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $36,190, books and supplies $4,549
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $24,400, books and supplies $2,850, room and board $15,225
First Coast Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $5,343, books and supplies $1,534, room and board $7,596
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville | Associate Degree in Nursing | 15 months | $36,190 |
Certificate in Practical Nursing | 13 months | $24,400 | |
First Coast Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $5,343 |
Miami-Dade County
Miami Regional University
Associate Degree in Nursing (18-month program): tuition and fees $34,894, books and supplies $2,841, room and board $17,973
Fortis College - Cutler Bay
Associate Degree in Nursing (24-month program): tuition and fees $32,650, books and supplies $6,500, room and board $9,528
International Training Careers
Nursing Assistant Certificate (8-month program): tuition and fees $13,205, books and supplies $200, room and board $7,733
Florida Vocational Institute
Nursing Assistant Certificate (7-month program): tuition and fees $8,870, books and supplies $235
Mercy Hospital
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $6,365, books and supplies $1,125, room and board $21,600
Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $3,456, books and supplies $815, room and board $14,896
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (18-month program): tuition and fees $3,255, books and supplies $2,805, room and board $14,364
Nursing Assistant Certificate (4-month program): tuition and fees $1,018, books and supplies $275
Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (18-month program): tuition and fees $2,454, books and supplies $425, room and board $22,050
Nursing Assistant Certificate (6-month program): tuition and fees $1,215, books and supplies $425
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Miami Regional University | Associate Degree in Nursing | 18 months | $34,894 |
Fortis College - Cutler Bay | Associate Degree in Nursing | 24 months | $32,650 |
International Training Careers | Nursing Assistant Certificate | 8 months | $13,205 |
Florida Vocational Institute | Nursing Assistant Certificate | 7 months | $8,870 |
Mercy Hospital | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $6,365 |
Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $3,456 |
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 18 months | $3,255 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 4 months | $1,018 | |
Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 18 months | $2,454 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 6 months | $1,215 |
Naples / Marco Island area
Immokalee Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $5,250, books and supplies $904, room and board $10,080
Lorenzo Walker Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,567, books and supplies $1,081, room and board $15,348
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Immokalee Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $5,250 |
Lorenzo Walker Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,567 |
North Port / Bradenton / Sarasota area
Suncoast Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (13-month program): tuition and fees $5,712, books and supplies $875, room and board $12,350
Nursing Assistant Certificate (1-month program): tuition and fees $734, books and supplies $254
Manatee Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (18-month program): tuition and fees $5,152, books and supplies $897
Nursing Assistant Certificate (6-month program): tuition and fees $2,186, books and supplies $294
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Suncoast Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 13 months | $5,712 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 1 months | $734 | |
Manatee Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 18 months | $5,152 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 6 months | $2,186 |
Orlando
Osceola Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,590, books and supplies $748
Lake Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $4,396, books and supplies $471, room and board $9,000
Orange Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $3,956, books and supplies $940, room and board $19,316
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Osceola Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,590 |
Lake Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $4,396 |
Orange Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 11 months | $3,956 |
Palm Beach
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations
Associate Degree in Nursing (19-month program): tuition and fees $25,200, books and supplies $1,833, room and board $19,256
Occupational Associate Degree in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $22,519, books and supplies $1,306
Nursing Assistant Certificate (6-month program): tuition and fees $6,310, books and supplies $138
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology
Nursing Assistant Certificate (13-month program): tuition and fees $21,149, books and supplies $1,500
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations | Associate Degree in Nursing | 19 months | $25,200 |
Occupational Associate Degree in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $22,519 | |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 6 months | $6,310 | |
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | Nursing Assistant Certificate | 13 months | $21,149 |
Port St. Lucie
Fortis Institute - Port St. Lucie
Associate Degree in Nursing (24-month program): tuition and fees $38,195, books and supplies $1,800
Certificate in Practical Nursing (15-month program): tuition and fees $22,625, books and supplies $2,900
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Fortis Institute - Port St. Lucie | Associate Degree in Nursing | 24 months | $38,195 |
Certificate in Practical Nursing | 15 months | $22,625 |
Tallahassee
Lively Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $6,115, books and supplies $731, room and board $14,308
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Lively Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $6,115 |
Tampa Bay
Ultimate Medical Academy
Nursing Assistant Certificate (12-month program): tuition and fees $13,300, books and supplies $1,000, room and board $14,484
Brewster Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $4,434, books and supplies $699
Pinellas Technical College - Clearwater
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $3,942, books and supplies $3,337, room and board $14,635
Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $3,942, books and supplies $3,337, room and board $14,378
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Medical Academy | Nursing Assistant Certificate | 12 months | $13,300 |
Brewster Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $4,434 |
Pinellas Technical College - Clearwater | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $3,942 |
Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $3,942 |
Other Florida cities
Emerald Coast Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (11-month program): tuition and fees $4,604, books and supplies $1,275, room and board $8,786
Tom P. Haney Technical Center
Certificate in Practical Nursing (14-month program): tuition and fees $4,503, books and supplies $632
Florida Panhandle Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,980, books and supplies $922
Nursing Assistant Certificate (6-month program): tuition and fees $1,900, books and supplies $769
RIVEROAK Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,774, books and supplies $960
North Florida Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (12-month program): tuition and fees $3,753, books and supplies $2,000
Okaloosa Technical College
Certificate in Practical Nursing (16-month program): tuition and fees $3,591, books and supplies $1,428
School | Program | Length | Tuition & fees |
---|---|---|---|
Emerald Coast Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 11 months | $4,604 |
Tom P. Haney Technical Center | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 14 months | $4,503 |
Florida Panhandle Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $3,980 |
Nursing Assistant Certificate | 6 months | $1,900 | |
RIVEROAK Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $3,774 |
North Florida Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 12 months | $3,753 |
Okaloosa Technical College | Certificate in Practical Nursing | 16 months | $3,591 |
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Florida